THIS YEAR TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION has announced a ROLLER COASTER worth OF EMOTIONAL CHANGE for those loyal to the brand. WE ARE GOING TO SEE ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGHS AND SULTAN SEA LOWS. WITH CHANGES ACROSS THE LINE UP THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO SEE EXCITING NEW TRUCKS HIT THE MARKET AND SEE SOME VERY BELOVED ONES LEAVE. FOR THOSE THAT HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH THE MOST RECENT NEWS, HERE IS THE RECAP FOR TRD NORTH AMERICA 2014

THE FJ CRUISER DEBUTED IN 2005 AT THE CHICAGO AUTO SHOW WEARING A FLASHY BLUE COLOR THAT WE ALL NOW KNOW AS VOODOO. JUST AS THIS TRUCK CAME INTO THE WORLD WEARING BLUE, ITS ALSO GOING TO LEAVE THIS WORLD WRAPPED IN BLUE. THE 2014 ULTIMATE EDITION IS THE LAST HURRAH FOR THE FJ. IT WILL HAVE A LIMITED PRODUCTION OF 2500 UNITS WEARING HERITAGE BLUE COLOR AND REVAMPED SUSPENSION FROM THE BAJA EDITION TACOMA. THE NOTION THAT THIS TRUCK IS IN ITS FINAL YEAR OF PRODUCTION FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET IS A SAD REALITY. WITH A QUARTER MILLION FJ'S ON THE ROAD WE ARE LUCKY THAT THESE WILL BE AROUND FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

Joe BACAL won his second consecutive Baja 1000 when he crossed the finish line at the Tecate SCORE 2013 Baja 1000. This is his 3rd overall Baja 1000 win in the last 5 years. Team Lexus finished the race in 29 hours and 21 minutes. The only other Stock-Full Class truck to finish was Rod Hall who came across the finish line 4.5 hours after the Lexus. THIS IS AN AWESOME ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR TRD.. BUT IT ALSO COMES JUST MONTHS BEFORE TRD/LEXUS WITHDRAWS FROM THIS RACE CIRCUIT. TO IMAGINE A STOCK TRUCK BLASTING THROUGH THE BAJA 1000 IN 29 HOURS IS AMAZING AND IT REALLY MAKES ME TAKE TAKE A DEEPER LOOK WHEN I SEE THE 200 SERIES LAND CRUISER ON THE STREET AROUND CHICAGO.

MUCH LIKE THE FJ CRUISER DEBUT IN CHICAGO BACK IN 2005, TOYOTA HAS ALWAYS GIVEN US CHI-TOWN FOLK SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT. THIS YEAR DID NOT DISAPPOINT WITH THE INTRODUCTION AND WORLD RELEASE OF THE TRD PRO MODELS. THIS IS A BIG STEP FORWARD FOR TOYOTA WITH DEDICATED MODELS BUILT AND TESTED FOR OFF ROAD ADVENTURE. 4RUNNER, TACOMA AND TUNDRA MODELS ALL EQUIPPED WITH BETTER PROTECTION, TIRES AND REVISED SUSPENSION WITH A FACTORY LIFT IS SOMETHING REALLY TO GET EXCITED ABOUT FOR AVID YOTA OFF ROAD FOLLOWERS.

SPEAKING OF DEDICATED OFFROAD MODELS, THE 2013 TRD RACING SERIES WAS A HUGE SUCCESS. TRD Tundra drivers registered 13 victories during 2013 on the way to clinching Toyota’s sixth NCWTS manufacturer’s championship. Busch led the way with five wins as his Kyle Busch Motorsports team captured the NCWTS owner’s championship. WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN FOR CHITOWN4X4.COM NOT A WHOLE LOT REALLY. SOMETIMES WE NEED TO BE REMINDED THAT THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT FOR OUR PASSION OF ADVENTURE AND EXCITEMENT. THE TRUCKS HAVE BEEN TESTED ON RACE COURSES AROUND THE GLOBE AND ENGINEERED WITH THE BEST RELIABILITY PERFORMANCE ON THE MARKET. THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT WE ALL USE EVERYDAY AND RELY UPON TO GET THERE AND THEY DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF IT. THEY EXTEND OUR ADVENTURES AND LET US SEE THINGS THAT MOST WILL NEVER LAY EYES ON. REMEMBER THIS SUMMER TO TAKE A BREAK FROM THE DAILY GRIND, HOP IN YOUR RIG AND GO PLACES.